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Phillipe Nover

Training: A typical day of training would be 8:30am drilling with my Jiu-Jitsu coach Mike Jaramilo at Renzo Gracie Academy. Follow that with an 11am striking session at Church Street Boxing with my coach Jason Strout. I would usually nap and rest up until my next session around 5pm. I go to Edge Wrestling in Hoboken, New Jersey to see Dave Esposito, my wrestling coach. I travel a lot all over town to meet with my teammates and coaches. I also train at a gym in Brooklyn called Ardon Sweet Science.

When and why did you start training for fighting? I was always involved in martial arts and I just loved competition. I started in Karate from age five to seven and then at age nine I enrolled in a school called Universal Defense Systems, which covered a wide array of styles from kickboxing, judo, Kung-fu, and Arnis. I started in point sparring tournaments, Arnis (Escrima) tournaments, amateur kickboxing, and after enrolling in a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu school under Rodrigo Gracie I started in BJJ tournaments. The next step was, of course, MMA. So in 2003 I had my first fight at 185 pounds against Ronald Stallings. I was hooked ever since. Fighting has always been part of my life.

What ranks and titles have you held? Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, Ring of Combat Lightweight Champion, The Ultimate Fighter Season 8 Finalist.

Do you have any heroes? My parents are both my heroes. They both worked so hard to support my brother and I. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for them.

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? Fighting in the UFC has always been a dream for me that I worked hard every day in order to achieve. And now that I'm here again, I'm only going to work even harder and smarter than ever before.

Getty Images reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this image or clip. If you violate our intellectual property you may be liable for: actual damages, loss of income, and profits you derive from the use of this image or clip, and, where appropriate, the costs of collection and/or statutory damages up to $150,000 (USD).